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Galapagos Mockingbird

Cheeky mimics that inspired Darwin

What you need to know about the Galapagos Mockingbird

Although Darwin’s Finches are the more famous birds who influenced Charles Darwin's early thoughts about natural selection, it was actually his study of the Mockingbirds on the archipelago that had the greatest influence on his work. There are 4 species of Mockingbird on the islands, but the Galápagos Mockingbird is the most widespread and therefore the one most visitors encounter.

Galápagos Mockingbirds are renowned for their inquisitiveness - they will often come over to check you out, rather than flying away. In fact some of the guests on Galapatours naturalist cruises have told us that Mockingbirds have come and perched on their heads! The guides on our tours have a wealth of knowledge about all the bird species on the island, and will make sure you have the best chances of meeting them face to face for yourself.

As the name implies, the Galápagos Mockingbird mimics (or “mocks”) different calls and sounds made by other species. They nest in trees or cacti, but they spend a lot of their time on the ground, and can often be seen running in and out of the ground cover looking for food. One noteworthy sub-species is the Hood mockingbird, also known as the Española mockingbird. This fearless, and sometimes aggressive little bird is a clever scavenger, and it has even been seen feeding on the blood of wounded (but very much alive) sea birds - the Galápagos Islands' own vampire!

The Galápagos Mockingbird is not classed as threatened, and seems to be doing well. However, one of the sub- species is under great threat - the extremely rare Floreana Mockingbird. Floreana was the first island to be populated by settlers, and this drove its native Mockingbird to the edge of extinction. Now there are thought to be less than 150 of this species left, confined to two small islets off the coast of Floreana. The National Park is going to great lengths to try and stabilise these fragile populations.

Galapagos Mockingbird: Interesting facts

Galápagos Mockingbirds prefer to run rather than fly

Mockingbirds can often be seen riding on the backs of iguanas!

Mockingbirds of Española have been seen drinking blood from wounds on iguanas

Galápagos Mockingbirds are thriving, and not currently under threat

Galapagos Mockingbird: Pictures from our travelers

mockingbird
Galapagos Mockingbird
Galapagos Mockingbird

Spots where the Galapagos Mockingbird can be observed

A walk on Bartholomew
A walk on Bartholomew

Bartholomew (known as Bartolomé locally) is the most popular excursion for Galápagos visitors, and its iconic scenery is the most photographed in the whole archipelago.

To start your walk on this island you will land in the small bay opposite the famous Pinnacle Rock. You then start the climb to the 375ft peak of Bartholomew. You’ll travel along a half mile trail that includes a series of wooden steps that have been built by the National Park Service to protect the ground here from erosion caused by tourists hiking to the summit.

When you arrive at the top of island the spectacular views will have made your efforts worthwhile. Your Galapatours expert guide will point out all the landmarks you will see from here - Pinnacle Rock itself, jutting skywards. The huge black lava flows of Sullivan Bay. The islands of Daphne Major and Daphne Minor.

On the way back down, you will be able to recognise the different volcanic formations evident on the island, such as tuff cones and volcanic spatter. You'll also see some remarkable examples of the Galápagos' ability to highlight the adaptation of species. For example the  bushes that all look dead are actually very much alive, with leaves covered with special grey hairs that help to reflect the harsh sun and reduce moisture loss for the plants.

Back at the beach there is excellent snorkeling, thanks to the underwater caves and rocks in the area. You will see various sharks, rays and tropical fish. You may also see Galápagos Penguins swimming with you!

Chinese Hat
Chinese Hat

Chinese Hat ("Sombrero Chino" to locals) is an islet set just a short distance off the southeastern coast of Santiago. The small channel between Chinese Hat and mainland Santiago is fairly deep yet sheltered, and the water here is a glistening turquoise.

The islet gets its name because if you approach from the north, you will see that this small volcanic cone does indeed look like the traditional bamboo or rice hat. Viewed from above on a satellite image, however, you will see that this islet is actually more of an oval shape.

There is a short hiking trail on Chinese Hat that runs along the western coast of the islet. This is a harsh landscape of volcanic rubble and lava formations, a very atmospheric reminder of the fiery origins of the Galápagos.

Along the cost of both Chinese Hat and the opposite Santiago shore you are likely to see Galápagos Sea Lions and Galápagos Penguins, either basking in the sun or seeking shade to avoid the hottest parts of the day. Overhead, you might catch a glimpse of the magnificent Galápagos Hawk.

The stand-out reason for a visit to Chinese Hat however is to snorkel in that turquoise channel. Here you can see various species of sharks, rays, and a variety of tropical fish. Not all Galápagos boats can visit, and permits are only given to a select few boats and guides. Here at Galapatours we offer itineraries on all of these specially selected boats, so if a visit to Chinese Hat is important to you, speak to one of our Galápagos experts today to help choose the perfect itinerary.

A walk on North Seymour
North Seymour

The island is named after an English nobleman, Lord Hugh Seymour and has an area of 1.9 square kilometers and a maximum altitude of 28 meters. This island is home to a large population of blue-footed boobies and swallow-tailed gulls and hosts one of the largest populations of frigatebirds. North Seymour has a visitor trail approximately 1.2 mi in length crossing the inland of the island and exploring the rocky coast.

North Seymour was formed at the same time as neighboring Baltra Island, and by the same process - an uplifting of undersea lava. This small, flat island has hiking trails throughout, allowing you to explore the arid landscape and to meet the seabirds that call North Seymour home.

North Seymour was the site of one of the earliest conservation experiments in the Galápagos. In 1934 a group of Galápagos Land Iguanas were moved there by Captain Hanckock. They have since thrivedthrived, and there are now well over 2,500 of them on the island and more than 3,000 on the neighbouring Baltra island.

The biggest attraction of North Seymour is its large colony of Blue-Footed Boobies and its Frigatebirds. These popular Galápagos species are often found together because the Frigatebirds rely on the Boobies’ fishing prowess. The Frigatebirds actively steal the Boobies catch to feed themselves!

There is also a population of Marine Iguanas and Galápagos Sea Lions are frequently spotted. The snorkeling here is also very good, with plenty of marine life to see including rays and reef sharks.

Our trips to spot the Galapagos Mockingbird


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